Tony Burciaga has a gift for striking the Chicano funny bone every time. He is literate without being pompous, political without being an ideologue, playful without being frivolous. He is a true comic because he knows that we laugh the hardest when we are in pain. I can think of no other writer from his background who is so in tune with the socio-political humor of the North American Hispanic world and who can write about it with such authenticity—Arturo Islas, professor at Stanford University and author of the novel The Rain God.

Tony Burciaga’s splendid wit and humor are the genuine article, la mera cosa, a true reflection of the sometimes poignant, often times absurd, life of the Chicano in America. In performance, Tony appears as a delightful cross between someone’s slightly inebriated wisecracking tío to (perhaps your own) and an alarmingly refreshing maestro. It is a tribute to his true literary talents that his satirical brilliance shines just as brightly on the printed page—Luis Valdez, writer, director, founder of El Teatro Campesino.

If the Pulitzer Prize committee ever gets around to looking at Latin columnists, they’d better take a good look at the work of José Antonio Burciaga. In my book he’s better than Buchwald, since he gets his point across in two languages. He has a unique and captivating way of wrapping a thorny issue in a humorous setting, then making the point so clear that no one can miss his insight. All of us who write can benefit from reading him—Félix Gutiérrez, Professor of Journalism at University of Southern California.

I’ve known Tony, his artwork and his painting for many years. His pieces are distinct because of their humor and honesty. He always makes a point, often about the place and soul of today’s Mexican American, or American Mexican, and he’s sure to make you smile—Ron Arias, author of the novel Road To Tamazunchale.

ISBN 0-938738-06-2